Description

What You’ll Need: Simple pantry staples meet two cans of cola for an ultra-moist, fudgy chocolate sheet cake with a glossy cola icing. Using room-temperature sour cream and eggs keeps the batter silky-smooth.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Cake

1 can (12 oz) Coca-Cola (or other cola)
2 sticks (8 oz) unsalted butter
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup sour cream (room temperature)
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Fudgy Cola Icing

1 can (12 oz) Coca-Cola (or other cola)
1 stick (4 oz) unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/4 tsp kosher salt

For the Pan

nonstick cooking spray

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Instructions

Preheat & prep pan: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick spray; set aside.
Bloom cola & cocoa (cake): In a saucepan, combine cola, butter, and 1/2 cup cocoa. Bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring often, about 7 minutes, until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Cool 5 minutes.
Mix batter: In a large heatproof bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Pour in warm cola mixture; whisk until no dry streaks remain. Whisk in sour cream, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Bake: Spread batter in pan. Bake 28–30 minutes, until edges pull from sides and a toothpick in center has a few moist crumbs. Cool on a rack while making icing.
Reduce cola (icing): In a saucepan, boil the second can of cola over medium-high until reduced to about ⅓ cup, ~15 minutes, syrupy.
Finish icing: Off heat, whisk in cubed butter and 1/4 cup cocoa until melted and smooth (about 30 seconds). Whisk in sifted powdered sugar and salt until glossy.
Frost warm cake & set: Immediately pour warm icing over warm cake; spread evenly. Let sit at room temperature until fully set, about 1½ hours.

Notes

Pro tip: Blooming cocoa in hot cola intensifies chocolate flavor. Pouring warm icing over warm cake helps it soak in and set with a shiny, fudge-like finish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Cakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern

Nutrition

Calories: 420
Sugar: 50
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 11
Carbohydrates: 65
Protein: 4